ATL's exurbs growing fast (Atlanta, Boston: sales, real estate, apartments)

[arjay57]

Thanks, Neil, I appreciate that and understood your jibe.

There are a handful of folks on the board who harbor some pretty silly thoughts about the suburbs, but it seems obvious to me that they are not the mainstream. The vast majority of folks in metro Atlanta (both ITP and OTP dwellers) have made intelligent, informed decisions about where to live. People like you and me are pretty typical -- we've lived in a variety of cities and settings, and we're quite capable of weighing the pros and cons. We don't need anybody else's validation for our choices.

[tonyurban]

Originally Posted by arjay57

When you get ready to settle down, don't overlook the fact that most of the city of Atlanta is composed of suburban single family neighborhoods. Many of them are thriving and beautiful, and the schools, shopping and other amenities are outstanding. Plus you get the benefits of an extensive rail system, and easy access to the airport, all the freeways and most arterial roads.

So you can have the best of both worlds if you're interested.

Yes you are right about that. Virginia Highland seems like a real nice place

Originally Posted by neil0311

And what you seem to miss is the fact that the Atlanta metro is not NYC. In many cities like NYC, the suburbs are bedroom communities; the city is the main business center and where most people need to commute. Here in Atlanta, that's not the case. Major difference in that fact.

Here in Atlanta, many people live and work in the suburbs. The business centers are located outside of the city, in places like Peachtree Corners, Alpharetta, Cumberland, etc. To use your example, if I live in Duluth, I may commute to Alpharetta and do so on Rte 120. I might never go near I-85 or Buford Hwy.

In NYC and other similar cities, to get to the business centers, I have to take the subway or commuter rail into the center of the city. While there are businesses on Long Island and New Jersey, many people in the NYC area work in the city and commute to Manhattan.

yes Atlanta is not NYC, however Atlanta still has a lot of trafffic around the downtown connector. You have been to ATL right? An overwhelmingly percentage of the metro commutes to the inner city. Yes lawrencville, Dunwoody, etc has their own job base but Atlanta is the hub.

The way your saying it is, the suburbs could survive without ATL and that sir is certainly not the case.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by tonyurban

Yes you are right about that. Virginia Highland seems like a real nice place

There are scores of fantastic intown neighborhoods. Peachtree Park, Garden Hills, Candler Park, Springlake, Buckhead Forest, Morningside, Chastain, etc., etc.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by tonyurban

An overwhelmingly percentage of the metro commutes to the inner city.

Absolutely false.

http://www.atlantaregional.com/File%...rns_121509.pdf

http://www.cleanaircampaign.org/For-...g#.UA7_T6NFlI0

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by tonyurban

yes Atlanta is not NYC, however Atlanta still has a lot of trafffic around the downtown connector. You have been to ATL right? An overwhelmingly percentage of the metro commutes to the inner city. Yes lawrencville, Dunwoody, etc has their own job base but Atlanta is the hub.

No, there have been several sets of numbers posted in these forums that show that Atlanta is not the job hub for the metro any longer.

Most suburbanites actually live and work in the suburbs, and more City of Atlanta residents work in the satellite job centers than in the City of Atlanta itself.

[tonyurban]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Absolutely false.

http://www.atlantaregional.com/File%...rns_121509.pdf

New Metro Atlanta Commuter Survey Shows Dramatic Jump in Teleworking | Clean Air Campaign

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

No, there have been several sets of numbers posted in these forums that show that Atlanta is not the job hub for the metro any longer.

Most suburbanites actually live and work in the suburbs, and more City of Atlanta residents work in the satellite job centers than in the City of Atlanta itself.

You both are right, congrats. The suburbs are definitely self sustaining.......

But like I said its good the exurbs are growing. I just wish they would learn from the planning mistakes other places have made and not just grow for the sake of growing.

[westau]

Originally Posted by tonyurban

You both are right, congrats. The suburbs are definitely self sustaining.......

But like I said its good the exurbs are growing. I just wish they would learn from the planning mistakes other places have made and not just grow for the sake of growing.

Only if they aren't commuting across town all the time. If everyone lived within 15-20 miles of work(except of course people where the couple work further apart then that or people changing jobs in different parts of Atlanta). I work in an office with far too many people who live in Lawrenceville, Rockmart, Jonesboro, Mcdonough, etc. This office isn't downtown either it is in the Cumberland area so everyone should be able to find quality reasonable housing somewhere in Cobb County.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by tonyurban

You both are right, congrats. The suburbs are definitely self sustaining.......

But like I said its good the exurbs are growing. I just wish they would learn from the planning mistakes other places have made and not just grow for the sake of growing.

Developers are in the business to make a profit.

Some metro areas and states are able to control this sort of unlimited expansion to some extend using means that Georgia is unwilling to use. Maybe Georgia needs to further explore such alternatives?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

No, there have been several sets of numbers posted in these forums that show that Atlanta is not the job hub for the metro any longer.

Since I'm the one who's been posting these numbers, let me clarify.

The city of Atlanta is not the only job hub for the metro and that has been the case for decades.

However, it is still the largest single job hub in metro Atlanta if you include the core urban area (i.e., Buckhead, Midtown and downtown). It's also the most concentrated job hub, which results in a very large influx of daytime workers into a condensed and well-urbanized area.

So the influence of people commuting into the city (and that doesn't mean just downtown) shouldn't be underestimated. It's just that there are many other significant commuting patterns too.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Developers are in the business to make a profit.

This is true, but it doesn't mean they automactually act with blinders on or that they are doomed to repeat suboptimal development patterns.

For one thing, they are subject to regulation just like anyone else. And many of them, in my experience, also have a civic conscience and a desire to do projects they can be proud of.

Most importantly, though, good development practices are also highly profitable. If you do things that are smart and sustainable, they'll command a higher price.